FX-4170 vs Ryzen 5 3600
FX-4170
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The FX-4170 is positioned at rank #796 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-4170
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-4170 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($23) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-4170 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+63%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($23) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FX-4170 and Ryzen 5 3600
FX-4170
The FX-4170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,121 points. Launch price was $69.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The FX-4170 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the FX-4170 (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The FX-4170 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the FX-4170 scores 3,121 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 140% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-4170 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | FX-4170 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+2% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.2 GHz+17% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB | 32 MB (total)+300% |
| L2 Cache | 4096 kB+700% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Zambezi (2011−2012) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 3,121 | 17,685+467% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The FX-4170 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | FX-4170 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (FX-4170) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | FX-4170 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The FX-4170 launched at $157 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($23 vs $80), the FX-4170 is $57 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-4170 delivers 135.7 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 47.9% better value option.
| Feature | FX-4170 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $157-21% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $23-71% | $80 |
| Performance per Dollar | 135.7 | 221.1+63% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2019 |
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